The current walking-working surfaces regulations allow employers to provide outdated and dangerous fall protection equipment such as lanyards and body belts that can result in workers suffering greater injury from falls, the release noted.

According to the release, the current walking-working surfaces standards also do not allow OSHA to fine employers who let workers climb certain ladders without fall protection.

Under the revised standards, this restriction would be lifted in virtually all industries, allowing OSHA inspectors to fine employers who jeopardize their workers'' safety and lives by climbing these ladders without proper fall protection, the release stated.